Darren Doyle, story and photo:
Jody Booth is the newest varsity girls coach at Edmonson County High School, according to the school earlier today.

Kyle Pierce, who has returned as the athletic director for the school after a two-year hiatus, discussed Coach Booth's hire as well as number of new faces that will be at head coaching positions in several sports.

"Coach Booth has a vast amount of experience serving as an assistant for over a decade under some tremendous head coaches," he said. "His knowledge of the game is a great asset but his ability to teach his players the game and break down opponents to put his players in the best position to be successful is incredible."

Pierce said per Booth's request, Maddie Stewart was named associate head coach, and that Booth is securing another assistant.

Principal Jonathan Williams said the school is very fortunate to have the current level of talent applying for local coaching jobs, and said hiring Booth was a "slam dunk."

"Coach Booth a really good person, he has coached under hall of fame coaches, he's led his own middle school program, led our JV program for several years, and has built a reputation as a player development coach that excels at teaching the game."

Williams said he couldn't be happier with the addition of Booth, as well as the additional new hires. He also discussed A.D. Kyle Pierce, who is returning after the retirement of Coach Brad Johnson last school year.

"Having the good fortune to hire someone like Kyle Pierce to lead your athletic department is a blessing," he said. "Athletics is such a great vehicle to teach life and nobody knows that better than him.  Kyle is a phenomenal person, has great experience, and can mentor our kids and coaches.  We're thrilled to have him back in this role and I look forward to partnering with him in the coming years."

In addition to girls basketball, six others will be taking on new head coaching jobs for the upcoming school year.

In golf, Shane Doyle will be head coach of the boys' team while Caleb Hogg will lead the Lady Cat golfers after Coaches Granville Meredith and Kayla Meredith Velotta stepped down at the end of last season.

Coach Christine Barrett will lead the Lady Cat volleyball team in 2023. She served as an assistant coach last year, gaining the respect of players and parents. She takes over for the departing Caitlyn Caudill.

In soccer, Ashley Ritter will serve as the girls' head coach and Brian Kemble, who was named today, will take over for the boys' soccer team. While the boys' team might be JV-only this season due to low numbers, the school hopes that Kemble and Ritter will help generate more interest in soccer as ECHS looks to grow the program.

Trey Tinsley was named as the new Wildcat Basketball Coach as last school year ended.

Archery will have a new coached named soon, according to ECHS.

Pierce said he is looking forward to serving as A.D. again as ECHS will have a vastly different look for 2023-24.

“I really enjoyed my previous eleven years as Athletic Director, but I also enjoyed the two-year break," he told the Voice. "Our school district was in a spot where they couldn’t find the right fit for the position. Mr. Williams and Mr. Alexander reached out to see if I could help out. I’m sure I won’t have another eleven-year run but I hope I can get the next person ready for the job.”

Fall sports are just around the corner with practices and workouts already underway.

ECHS Soccer starts with the boys and girls on August 7th at Warren East. Volleyball begins August 17th at Butler County, golf matches and cross-country will also begin in August.

Edmonson County Football is scheduled to begin Friday, August 18th at home against Grayson County.

“I always felt the role of an Athletic Director is to help each head coach to improve their program to the maximum of its ability," Pierce added. "When you have this many first time head coaches, it will be extremely rewarding to help them as they begin in their leadership roles.”